Gallbladder Overview

Infected Gallbladder (Cholecystitis)

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, which can happen suddenly (acute) or over a longer period of time (chronic).

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of Cholecystitis:

• Sharp pain in the right abdomen
• Low Fever
• Nausea and bloating
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) may occur if gallstones are in the common bile duct.
• Acute Cholecystitis pain lasts longer than 6 hours, and there is abdominal tenderness and fever.

Treatments

Standard Treatment for acute cholecystitis:

Intravenous (IV) fluids, pain medication, and cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder).

Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and the procedure is normally performed either laparoscopically or robotically at the Gallbladder Institute of Beverly Hills.  Single-site Robotic surgery (one entry point through the belly button) is also an option for many patients.  It is preferred by those who do not want to have a visible scar after surgery.

Biliary dyskinesia

Biliary dyskinesia is a disorder of some component of biliary part of the digestive system in which bile physically cannot move normally in the proper direction through the tubular biliary tract. It most commonly involves abnormal biliary tract peristalsis muscular coordination within the gallbladder in response to dietary stimulation of that organ.  Patients with this condition present with biliary-type pain, and investigations show no evidence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Biliary dyskinesia:

• postprandial right upper quadrant pain (normally after meals)
• nausea, fatty food intolerance
• vomiting, and bloating

Treatments

Surgical Treatment of Biliary dyskinesia:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been used to treat the condition when due to dyskinesia of the gallbladder.

Gallbladder Hyperactivity

Gallbladder Hyperactivity occurs when your gallbladder is contracting more frequently and with more strength than it should. This normally causes pain, and disrupts the normal function of the digestive system.

At times gallbladder hyperactivity can just go away on its own. However, it may continue to occur, and if it does not go away, is considered a chronic condition.  Possible management may occur through diet and medication.  However, severe cases might require surgery to remove the gallbladder.  If you suspect you have pain associated with your gallbladder, seek medical care to determine an actual cause of your pain.

Gallstone Pancreatitis

Gallstones are the most common cause of acute pancreatitis. The pancreatic duct joins with the common bile duct before it enters the duodenum, a section of the small intestine. There is also a small ring of muscle called the Sphincter of Oddi surrounding this opening that acts to open and close it. If gallstones form and enter the common bile duct, they may end up blocking this opening. This means that the bile and pancreatic juices cannot flow through to the duodenum and build up. Experts believe that it is this blockage that causes the pancreas to become inflamed. Gallstones can form when cholesterol and other substances in the bile clump together.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that typically causes very sudden and very severe stomach ache.  Acute pancreatitis almost always causes severe upper abdominal pain. The pain can spread to your back and is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Fever, circulation problems and a bloated stomach are other common symptoms.

Acute pancreatitis can have serious complications, so it is typically treated in the hospital. Most of the time it passes without any serious problems developing in about one to two weeks. But in more severe cases of pancreatitis, further treatment may be necessary.  Complications of pancreatitis can be fatal so if you have symptoms, see medical attention immediately.